Eielson’s environmental stewards

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  • By 354th Civil Engineer Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  EDITOR'S NOTE: The Department of Defense does not directly endorse any company or agency advertising on the FNSB-SWD website.

As the nation celebrates the 45th annual Earth Day on April 22, the Air Force is re-emphasizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and encouraging service members and civilians to promote recycling both at home and on the job.

Icemen can enhance sustainability and support the mission by leveraging available resources to "Conserve Today - Secure Tomorrow."

Members of the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron's Installation Management Flight Environmental Element ensure the Iceman Team is able to accomplish its mission while conserving and protecting natural resources.

The element is led by Julene May, the Installation Management Flight chief, and Capt. Ryan Winsor, the Installation Management Flight deputy flight chief. Together, they supervise a diverse team of environmental specialists and communicate concerns and solutions to senior leadership.

Heading up the Solid and Hazardous Waste Program is Ariane Staples. She is responsible for managing Eielson's landfills, recycling efforts, waste diversion and hazardous waste in accordance with federal and state regulations.

Alan Simmons is the Hazardous Materials, Tanks, and Spill Programs manager. He tackles the task of managing and tracking potentially dangerous chemicals on the base, monitors underground and above ground storage tanks, and works with state regulators to report and remediate spills.

The steward for the Water Program is Lonnie Britton. He maintains the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and verifies that the base's water and wastewater is appropriately treated in accordance with federal and state laws.

Ron Gunderson is the Natural Resources section chief and leads the effort to manage Eielson's natural and cultural resources. Assisting him is Tom Slater, the Outdoor Recreation planner. Together, they run the base's hunting and fishing programs in a way that allows Icemen to enjoy the outdoors while minimizing adverse impacts on natural resources. They are also responsible for permitting borrow pits for construction projects.

The Environmental Planning and National Environmental Policy Act Program is headed by Deb Lipyanic. She analyzes the impact of projects planned to occur on the installation with respect to preservation of the natural environment.

The Environmental Management System Coordinator is 2nd Lt. Nicholas Brown. He ties all of the environmental programs together, ensuring they are operating as intended, and is responsible for environmental awareness and outreach.

Every year, the Air Force highlights a new focus for Earth Day. For 2015, the Air Force is highlighting recycling programs with a special emphasis on electronics recycling and electronics waste (e-waste), such as computers, monitors, TVs, cell phones, and small appliances. Starting this year, the Department of Defense's strategic sustainability performance plan's goal is 100 percent e-waste diversion from landfills.

While all Air Force-owned electronic equipment is required to be recycled through Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron's Installation Management Flight Environmental Element recommends all personally-owned electronics also be recycled.

Please visit the Fairbanks North Star Borough Solid Waste Division's website at http://fnsb.us/solidwaste/ to see the information on Community Recycling and learn more about recycling e-waste and other goods in the interior.

This year, the Air Force is once again asking Airmen and their families to visit the "Blue Acts of Green" Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blueactsofgreen to share recycling and other environmentally-friendly practices they perform every day.

Site visitors can learn what other families are doing across the country to protect Earth's precious natural resources.

For more information on the Air Force's Earth Day efforts, visit www.afcec.af.mil/news/earthday.